Xavi kicked one of his Barcelona players out of a WhatsApp group following his sacking, it has been alleged.
On Thursday Barcelona appointed former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Hansi Flick as their new manager on a two-year deal.
Flick replaced Xavi, who was sacked a month after Barcelona had persuaded him to stay at the club as manager.
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The 44-year-old steered Barcelona from ninth place in La Liga to the runners-up spot following the sacking of Ronald Koeman. The club were then crowned champions in his first full season in charge.
This term however they failed to mount a serious challenge, surrendering their title to rivals Real Madrid while being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain at the quarter-final stage.
According to the Spanish publication ‘Sport’, Xavi’s departure has led to tension between the manager and Joan Laporta’s adviser Alejandro Echevarria.
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It has been alleged that Xavi has long been in a WhatsApp group with Echevarria as well as a spate of former Barcelona players, including Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes,
And amid a reported breakdown in their relationship upon Xavi’s departure, the former midfielder has allegedly created a new group that includes the same ex-players as the previous group, but not Echevarria.
Earlier this week, Xavi warned his successor to be prepared to "suffer" as Barcelona manager.
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"To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be," Xavi said after his final match in charge, a 2-1 win over Sevilla.
"This is a difficult job and you have to be patient."
He added that he did not have another job lined up and was prepared to wait for the right offer.
He said: "Nothing is closed. I'm a professional, let's see what happens in the future. Of course, I'm open (to a new job), but I think 100 per cent I need to rest a little bit.
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"It's so difficult to coach Barcelona. It's been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I'm proud and happy.
"When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done."
Topics: Barcelona, Xavi, La Liga, Real Madrid, Champions League
Chris Byfield